6.5 Hunting bullet choices for mule deer and elk

[Shrek]

Cahunter805 , yes he is. I ordered those and then read about the 150's he has just started making. They're not on his website so I emailed him and asked when they would be available and could I order some. He emailed back within an hour and sold me some. Hoping they get here tomorrow. Waiting on the rest of my rifle is going to be hard ! Dies and stock are due tomorrow. There's nosler brass available but I'm waiting for Norma which is due any day now.

 

[Cahunter805]

The 150s sure seem like a great bullet for the 6.5mm. I know he listens to his customers and is willing to help and try different designs and jackets. I like his bullets a lot but haven't used them on game.

 

[KMD]

Just loaded up a short ladder with 130Berger hunting VLDs to test in the Shamwow. We'll see how they stack and what the Magnetospeed says about 'em...

 

[KMD]

Best cloverleaf group with the 130 VLDs was with 63.5gr H1000, 3210fps avg. Brass showed no signs of pressure.
Now, to load a bunch and test them at distance against the 140JLKs, to see which one stands out...

 

[mcseal2]

I've taken several deer and antelope with both the 140gr accubond and Berger 140gr VLD in my 264WM. Accubond 140's in a 270 win and WSM, plus a 7mm Rem Mag also. Both have performed exactly as advertised every time. Different performance, but same result, quick humane kills.

The 140gr Accubond took my best muley. I shot him quartering away hard at 180yds, the bullet entered just in front of the hip and I found it under the hide on the opposite side of the neck near the throat. It weighted right at 60% of original weight and had a perfect mushroom. The Bergers shoot a shade better especially at 500-600yds for me, so I now use them in the 264 and they have never let me down. I won't take the hard angled shots with them though like I would with the accubond. It's a trade-off you have to decide on. I'd love to see a 140gr long range accubond.

 

[Huntr]

The 139gr. Scenar hammered my elk last year out of my GA Precision 260.

 

[ChrisA]

Finally made it up to Wisconsin last night to pick up my rifle. It's one sweet outfit. We loaded some fire form loads with the Berger 140 VLD Target and Ramshot Magnum. My first three shots produced about a half minute group at 60 yards.

Matt sent me home with the rest of the 140 VLD Target and boxes of Barnes 127 LRX, Lapua 136 Scenar-L, and Berger 140 VLD Hunting bullets.

Anyone of those bullets should work well this fall and it looks like this rifle isn't going to be hard to find a load for so I'm tickled.

Thanks for the advice fellas.

Chris

 

[16Bore]

6.5's have BC's out the ass......

 

[Brado16]

I will be running the Scenar 139's out of my 6.5 SAUM in a few weeks for a CO Elk hunt. Have heard many great results with this bullet and Im looking forward to putting it to the test myself.

 

[AZ Vince]

For deer and elk I'd try the Barnes LRX 127 grain bullets of it were me.
They're designed to open up down to 1600 fps. That will give you some legs to push that bullet way out there.

 

[msalm]

AZ Vince,
I tend to agree with you and plan on trying those out in my 6.5 RSAUM and see what kind of accuracy and velocity they produce. When those bullets hit the shelves I picked up 6 boxes or so. A few days ago I did file away/cross section (lengthwise) a Scenar L 136gr bullet and a Berger 130gr VLD Hunting just to study the jacket thickness/makeup and the Scenar impressed me. It was a tapered jacket with a bit thicker base section than the Berger, but had just as thin of jacket thickness from maybe halfway back going forward to the nose. Overall the Scenar looked to be a better made bullet and there are good reports of them being used as a game bullet. But when looking at a mature bull elk shooting a 6.5mm bullet, I think I would be more confident in that LRX against any shoulder bone.

 

[Cahunter805]

Msalm
Don't overlook the berger hybrids either. I just filed one and its very similar to the scenar. It has a thicker jacket than the vld but still thin up front and a good open nose cavity.

 

[brushape]

I'm about to start loading for my 6.5 saum and noticed a good deal on 140 partitions at sps would these bullets be a better choice for big wild hogs and elk at shorter range than the bergers most people are loading? I already have 130&140 bergers that I planned on using and the gun will be 90% for blacktail, pronghorn, pigs. Sometimes I just can't pass up a good deal but I think I might be over thinkjng it

 

[Shrek]

The partitions are tough and would be better for boars. I've seen big boars tote off some serious lead . The rest are thin skinned and not too hard to put down if you do your part.

 

[brushape]

Now berger came out with the 130 hybrid my head is starting to spin. I'll just shoot what I have untill they come out with the 142 ablr

 

[KMD]

I'm having my 6.5SAUM along to Oklahoma next month to try on some hogs at distance. Used the 130HVLDs with great results on deer last year, looking forward to see how they thwack into a big slab o' bacon. Will report back...

 

[brushape]

Cool let me know how it goes I'm still waiting here for my barrel I had planned on some pork testing early march with it but oh well

 

[KMD]

Ape, for reference, exits on deer from a 130HVLD @ 3205fps MV. Both perfect broadside, broke ribs but no heavy bone encountered...

~280yds

~655yds

Terribly small sample size to draw a solid conclusion from, but inspiring nonetheless. I seriously doubt a pig will be able to shrug one off...

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

That's a mean looking round. Would be great for big high country mulies. I want one!

 

[ChrisA]

KMD,

That's about what my exit looked like at 304 yards with a 140 Hunting VLD at 2950 fps. Didn't hit any bone other than ribs, he made three giant leaps and went over backwards.

Chris